12 June 2009  The United Nations Security Council today imposed tougher sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), including a tighter arms embargo, sending what Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called a “clear and strong” message to Pyongyang following last month’s nuclear test.

By unanimously adopting resolution 1874, the 15-member body condemned the 25 May nuclear test conducted in “violation and flagrant disregard” of relevant Council resolutions, particularly 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006).

It also demanded that the DPRK “not conduct any further nuclear test or any launch using ballistic missile technology.”

The Council imposed a series of measures on the DPRK that include tougher inspections of cargo suspected of containing banned items related to the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile activities, a tighter arms embargo with the exception of light weapons and new financial restrictions.

Mr. Ban welcomed the adoption of resolution 1874, and hoped that the DPRK and all Members States will fully comply with it.

“Acting unanimously and agreeing on credible measures, the members of the Security Council have sent today a clear and strong message to the DPRK,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his conviction that all differences should be resolved in a peaceful manner through dialogue,” the statement added.

In this regard, Mr. Ban called on the concerned parties to refrain from taking any measures that can exacerbate tensions in the region and to exert their best efforts to re-engage in dialogue, including through the Six-Party Talks that brings together DPRK, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States.

Also by today’s resolution, the Council requested the Secretary-General to establish, for an initial period of one year, a group of seven experts to assist the Committee set up to monitor the sanctions imposed on DPRK to carry out its mandate.

The Council also called on all Member States to report to it within 45 days, and thereafter upon the Committee’s request, on concrete measures taken to implement key provisions of resolution 1874.

It pledged to keep the DPRK’s actions under continuous review and to consider strengthening, modifying, suspending or lifting the measures in light of the country’s compliance with the Council’s resolutions.